Top 10 Jobs That Require Career Training

Despite all the hype about getting a four-year or graduate degree, some of the world's best jobs are those that do not require a bachelor's degree. There are many well-paying, rewarding jobs for people who want to get a quicker education, either through an associate's degree or certificate program. Here, we profile 10 great jobs and their career training requirements:

Chefs have a lot of choices for education awaiting them. Some forego an education all together, preferring instead to work their way up from an entry level position. Most chefs, however, have some sort of formal training, usually a certificate or associate's degree from a culinary school. Visit CookingSchools.com to find the perfect culinary program for you!

Correctional officers generally have some sort of law-related training, either through a police preparation-type program (police academy) or through a criminal justice degree. Criminal justice is one of the most popular degree programs today, and certificate, associate degree, bachelor degree, and even master's degree programs are widely available. Criminal justice degrees are also one of the most popular degrees offered through online programs. Most criminal justice professionals start with either a certificate or associate's degree to land an entry-level job. Correctional officers can move up in their fields either through experience or by returning to school later for a bachelor's or master's degree. To learn more about a degree in criminal justice, visit CriminalJusticeDegrees.org.

Dental assisting is another one of those professions in which some people have made their way without any formal training, but the majority of employers are looking to hire entry-level candidates out of a dental assisting program. Aspiring dental assistants can enroll in a one-year diploma or certificate program, or they can shoot for a two-year associate's degree. For more information about dental assisting degrees, visit our partner sites, DentalSchools.com and HealthcareDegrees.org.

There is perhaps no other career with such consistently high demand throughout the entire country. Both LPNs and RNs are wooed with high salaries, signing bonuses, school loan forgiveness, and other enticing offers. To become a registered nurse, you only need to complete a two-year nursing program (ADN, or associate's degree in nursing) and pass a licensing exam. An LPN needs just to complete a practical nursing program and pass the licensing exam. A practical nursing program typically lasts about a year. For more information on studying to become a nurse, please visit our partner sites, NursingSchools.com and HealthcareDegrees.org.

Massage therapists are enjoying a growing industry and ample job opportunities. Meeting market demand, schools are offering lots of new massage therapy programs, and states are instituting licensure programs. Most, but not all, states now require a massage therapist to be licensed in order to practice. One key requirement to licensure is the completion of a formal training program in massage. Most programs are short-term in nature and lead to a certificate. For more information on earning a certificate in massage therapy, please visit MassageSchools.net or HealthcareDegrees.org.

Medical assisting is a fast-growing field, and degree programs are offered both online and through traditional classroom programs. There are no tried and true requirements to becoming a medical assistant, but most employers prefer to hire entry-level candidates with formal training. Most medical assisting programs last about one year and offer either a certificate or diploma. Some schools now offer associate degree programs in medical assisting. For more information about a medical assistant education, please visit our partner sites, MedicalAssistingSchools.com,MedicalSchools.com, or HealthcareDegrees.org.

Most medical records professionals enter the field with an associate's degree. These two-year programs offer students an overview of medical terms and legal issues of health care. Many programs for medical records are now offered entirely online, and many are accelerated and can be completed in less than two years. For more information on finding a medical records and health information technology program, visit our partner sites: MedicalSchools.com or HealthcareDegrees.org.

Paralegals and legal assistants general start in entry-level positions after completing an associate's degree program. Many paralegals earn certificates or bachelor's degrees as well. Degrees in paralegal studies are widely available from community colleges, technical and vocational colleges, and even many four-year universities. Many online paralegal programs are offered as well. For more information about starting a paralegal education, visit our partner site, LawSchools.com.

Pharmacy is a growing industry, and the need for technicians is greater than ever. Most technicians learn through on-the-job experience, although hiring trends indicate that more and more employers are favoring those with formal training. An aspiring pharmacy tech can complete a certification program in less than a year, and many programs are offered online. Such programs emphasize hands-on experience, so many students complete externships in local pharmacies that often lead to full-time positions after the program is completed. For more information about a pharmacy technician education, visit PharmacySchools.com.

Another rapidly expanding field, veterinary medicine has a strong need for technicians and technologists. Though the titles and job duties are similar, the education needs differ. A veterinary technician usually completes a two-year associate's degree program, while a veterinary technologist must have a bachelor's degree. Both programs involve a lot of hands-on experience working with animals, and many require an externship. For more about veterinary education, take a look at our partner site, VeterinarySchools.com.